Help for shoppers to keep a distance

Anstruther to ban parking on Shore Street and create safer space for the public during ongoing crisis

An East Neuk town is leading the way in making social distancing easier for shoppers and pedestrians in its main street.

Anstruther’s community council is to seek Scottish Government funding to temporarily widen walking space on Shore Street.

The government announced a £10 million Space for People fund to enable temporary walking and cycle routes during the coronavirus pandemic.

Last week Perth and Kinross Council began consulting on measures which could include barriers to widen pavements and one-way systems for pedestrians.

With the need for social distancing likely to remain for some time, the Royal Burgh of Kilrenny, Anstruther and Cellardyke Community Council examined a range of proposals to increase space for walking and cycling to allow people to exercise the two-metre rule.

At a video conference meeting, it decided to proceed with one of them, involving a ban on parking in part of Shore Street.

Chairman Andy Peddie said: “Our multi-use path group had come up with five proposals in different streets to limit parking and give more space for pedestrians to encourage social distancing.

“The community council approved one of these; that is to ban parking in the east half of Shore Street from Browns chemist to the Ship Tavern.

“This area will be secured by a barrier to prevent cars entering to allow safe distancing in this space.

“The changes will be temporary and restrictions removed after the crisis.

“We will now ask Fife Council to seek funding from the Scottish Government Spaces for People programme to facilitate the changes.”

A report by the community council’s cycle group suggested a range of measures could be taken, including road closures, reducing speed limits and lifting of barriers to remove pinch points.

It said Anstruther had many narrow paths and streets where social distancing was difficult and that roads and parking spaces were quieter due to the current stay at home advice.

A survey on May 5 of the waterfront area found only 21 vehicles parked in the 172 spaces.

Announcing the fund last month, Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said the money would support local authorities in implementing temporary active travel measures to help ensure people can walk, cycle and wheel safe from traffic while physically distancing.

He said: “Our communities need this support quickly, especially with the welcome increases in cycling we are seeing across the country.

“At the same time, almost every journey starts and ends on our pavements in some way, and so it is vitally important that people can physically distance for those essential trips or for exercise.”